Woman Maoist arrested in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, Sep 22 (IANS) A Naxalite woman, wanted in several cases and carrying a reward of Rs.30,000, has been arrested from Madhya Pradesh, police said Monday.Kamla, an active member of Tanda Dalam, has been involved in various murders and gun battles with the police.

“A tip-off was received about Kamla’s presence in Kodhapar forest area in Balaghat district on Saturday after which the police laid a trap and arrested her late Sunday,” Balaghat Superintendent of Police Harinarayanchari Mishra said.

He said the arrest would help police bust the network of Maoists in the region.

Kamla had attacked a police party in 2001, killed Shriram Gond near Songudda in 2003 and murdered a deputy ranger Harichand in 2004 at Dongaghat. Mishra said she also confessed to her involvement in a gun battle with police in January this year.

Last month, police had arrested Kamla’s sister Nirmala, who was an active member of the Malajkhand Dalam and carried a reward of Rs.20,000, from Mate village in Balaghat. Both had joined the banned outfit about a decade ago.

Nirmala also served in Paraswada Dalam and was then sent to Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli where she was part of Korchi Dalam. She was married to rebel Shyamlal in Gadchiroli and the couple later became active in the Malajkhand Dalam in Balaghat.